RAVEN

After a successful and fun band practice, Jaden and Wes had to leave, and that left me with Liam in our practice room. We were just chatting and catching up for a while on the sofa. Spending time with Liam was nice; he was my best friend. Even more than Jaden was. Or so I thought, until he decided to take advantage of the fact that we were alone to confess something. Something that changed everything between us.

“I like you, Raven.” Liam said out of nowhere, taking me by surprise.

“I like you too, Liam.” I said with a chuckle.

“No, you don’t get it. I don’t like you as a friend.” He explained, taking my hand in his. “I am in love with you, Raven. Always have.”

“What?” I said. But there was no way he was being true. “Nice joke, buddy.”

“It’s not a joke. I’m being serious. I have been in love with you since high school.” He said with a serious look.

“You can’t be serious, Liam.” I said with a frown, taking my hand away from his. What the fuck was happening?

“I am.” He said, and after taking a deep breath, he confessed to me once again. “I love you, Raven. I want you to be more than my friend.”

“No. You know I already have someone.” I said, rejecting him. The image of Erik came to my mind, and I let him know who that someone was. “I have Erik.”

“Raven, be for real. That man will never love you the way I will. He is straight as fuck.” Liam said with a smirk and a chuckle.

“Don’t say that. He has feelings for me, Liam. He tried to kiss me the other day.” I confessed to him. The alpha next to me frowned, and I stood up from the sofa, putting space between us.

“I think you are being delusional, Rae. If he wanted you, he would’ve claimed you by now.” He mentioned. His words felt like a punch in my gut. I knew he was right, but I didn’t want to lose hope. Not after that day. “Please, can you give me a chance. I will love you how you deserve to be loved.”

“No. We will never be a couple, Liam. We are just friends.” I said, but then rephrased it. “Were friends. I don’t think I can see you the same after this.”

“What? What does that mean? You are just going to end our friendship for that stupid alpha.” He said with a frown, standing up. I walked backward, putting more distance between us.

“Yes, I will end our friendship, but not because of that stupid alpha. It’s because of you. You ruined it the moment you decided to have feelings for me.” I said with anger, grabbing my guitar and walking to the door without looking back. “Goodbye, Liam.”

“Raven, wait! What about the band?” He asked, and I bit my lip. I didn’t want to think about that. I just needed to get out of there.

“I…don’t know.” I said, walking out the door and leaving him alone in the room.

On the way back to the manor, I was in pain. My chest hurt, and tears tried to escape from my eyes. I felt heartbroken. I had just lost my best friend, someone with whom I was confident. Millions of questions started to appear in my mind. What if our friendship had always been fake? What if he only befriended me because of his crush? It hurt just thinking about it. Once I got home, I caught sight of Erik in the living room, but I didn’t want him to see me this way. I didn’t know if I ever would tell him about this. I ran up to my room and jumped onto my bed, hugging my pillow. There was so much going on in my head. The band. Fuck, now that was ruined too, and we were doing so well lately. Fuck. Tears came down my cheeks, and I sobbed. I didn’t want to think of anything.

After a long crying session, I laid on my bed looking at a spot on the ceiling. I had no idea what to do next. All of a sudden, a warmth spread all over my body. Heat all over my body, making me moan and lose my breath. I felt my pants starting to get wet on the front and back. A sudden feeling of need came to me. 

“I need…I need…” I said, squirming on the bed, grabbing onto the sheets, and pulling them. “I need…Erik.”

ERIK

I was wondering if Raven was avoiding me again, because I hadn’t seen him since he left for band practice two days ago. He had also missed lunch and dinner those days. What happened to Raven? Where was he? I started to worry until finally Lilah gave me the answer.

“He is in heat.” Lilah said, and I let out a gasp. Ed let out a worried whimper.

“What? Is he okay?” I asked her with worry.

“Yes, he is. Just locked in his room until it’s over.” She explained.

“But aren’t heat cycles bad for omegas who don’t have an alpha?” I asked.

“They are, but Papa takes care of him and gives him his medicine.” She reassured me, and I nodded. The image of Raven suffering alone in his room came to my mind. I needed to do something.

“Should I….Should I help him?” I asked.

“No.” She shook his head.

“Why not? I’m his mate.” I said with a frown.

“You are not his mate. At least not yet.” Lilah said, and before I could answer, she continued. “And I’m sure Raven would regret spending his heat with you when you have not confessed your feelings for each other.”

“You are right. So what can I do to help him?” I asked. Even if they didn’t allow me to be with him. Lilah took some time to think until an idea came to her.

“Alpha pheromones help. Give me some of your clothes so he can make a nest.” She suggested.

“Yes. Let me get some.” I said and ran to my room.

After grabbing some of my clothes from my room, I handed them to Lilah. Luckily, Esme was there when I gave them. He thanked me for his gesture and assured me that Raven was okay. However, the feeling of uneasiness never left me. I was concerned about my omega, and it was killing Ed too. I went back to my room and tried to distract myself, but I needed someone to talk to. I grabbed my phone, opening the group chat I had with my brothers.

Idiotic Bros (Don’t change the name, Brandon - N)

Me          4:30 PM

Are you guys free for a video chat?

Brandon         4:31 PM

Hi brothers, how are you? How are the kids? How are the wives?

Those are the questions you start a conversation with, Erik.

Nick                4:31 PM

Yeah, Erik. So not polite of you.

Jk bro. What’s up?

Me          4:32 PM

le sigh*

Hello, my dearest brothers. I bet the kids and the wives are as good as you.

Now, are you free or not?

Nick               4:31 PM

Don’t know. I think I’m busy.

Me          4:32 PM

Are you really busy, or are you just lazing around in bed while Bri takes care of Milo?

Nick                 4:32 PM

You caught me.

Bri is out with Milo at a friend's gathering. Only moms allowed. 

Brandon          4:33 PM

I don’t know if I have time for a video call. 

If you told us what it was about, I would make time for you later.

I rolled my eyes and decided to just come clean. I knew my brothers too well.

Me          4:34 PM

I met my fated mate.

My phone started ringing immediately with a video call request from my brothers. I laughed at how gossipy my brothers were. I finally pressed the accept call button. 

“When? What? Who? How?” Nick—middle bro—said as soon as I answered.

“You have some explaining to do, Erik Bennet.” Brandon—bigger bro—said in a serious tone.

“Hi, hello. How are you, my brothers? I sure am fine, thank you for asking.” I said pulling an Uno reverse card on Brandon.

“No. Don’t you dare play that card on us now.” My bigger brother said with a frown. “Spill it.”

“Yeah, who is she?” Nick asked curiously.

“Uhm…actually…” I hesitated for a moment but took a deep breath. “It’s not a she.”

“What?” Brandon said shocked.

“Huh?” Nick followed.

“But I don’t care what you guys think. Raven is the most wonderful and beautiful man I have met in my entire life, and I plan on completing our bond.” I said in a serious tone and with a frown, glaring at them.

“Erik…” Nick said with a sad look.

“Brother, what made you think we were going to react badly?” Brandon said with a concerned look.

“Well, Mom and Dad did, so I thought you would too.” I confessed with a sigh.

“You do know I have gay friends, right?” Brandon mentioned with a sigh. “My brother-in-law is married to a man, you know.”

“I didn’t know that.” I said. I never knew about Janice’s family. 

“And I also have gay friends. Bisexuals, too, because that’s what you are, right?” Nick said.

“I honestly don’t know. I tried with gay porn, but it didn’t work on me. Straight doesn’t do anything anymore. I only react to Raven.” I confessed because there was no point in hiding it from them.

“That’s interesting. So you are like Ravensexual.” Nick mentioned half jokingly.

“That is not a sexuality, Nick.” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Maybe yours is.” Nick shrugged.

“So, how did you meet? And how long have you known?” Brandon asked with curiosity.

“And why didn’t you tell us until now? I’m offended, brother. I told you about Bri the same day I met her.” Nick mentioned, pretending to be offended like the drama king he is.

“Well, it was complicated. My reaction was not the best at first, and I misgendered him when we first met.” I explained. “He is the son of the family I’m staying with.”

“Holy shit. You have known for a month?! And you didn’t tell us. Wow. Erik. Wow.” Nick said, more offended now. While Brandon just stared, surprised at me.

“I’m sorry, okay? I just wasn’t sure. I was panicking and confused. It was hard, guys.” I said with an apologetic smile.

“But?” Brandon asked. I sighed.

“But I’ve fallen for him, guys. I like him a lot and I want him to be mine.” I confessed. It was the first time I said that out loud, and it felt liberating.

“And the problem is?” Brandon asked again.

“I don’t know how to tell him, and also, there are our parents,” I said with frustration, thinking back at their words.

“Right. I can imagine what they said to you. They have always been so close-minded and homophobic.” Brandon sighed and I nodded.

“It was really bad. They want me to reject him and marry some girl my mom matches me with.” I rolled my eyes, annoyed just thinking about it.

“Fuck that. What do you want to do?” Nick asked me.

“I want to bond with him. Make him my omega.” I said with a soft smile. 

“Then do it. The God/dess wanted it that way. You bond with him then.” Brandon mentioned.

“Yeah, we will support you, Erik.” Nick said with a smile. “I’m honestly happy you found him and not married some girl mom wants.”

“Thank you, guys.” I said with a smile. I loved my brothers. “Now I just have to think how to tell him.”

“I have an idea.” Nick said with a mischievous look.

“I’m all ears.” I said with a smile and listened attentively to my brother's plan. I was grateful for having great brothers who supported me, and I couldn’t wait for them to meet Raven in the future.